Today is the day of destruction the end of the "long count" calendar of the ancient Mayan civilisation.

Hundreds gathered in the Mexican city of Merida close to the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza.

Many believe destruction day is in fact the start of a new era in the calendar.

"I just believe December 21 is a kind of a doorway into that personal enlightenment. I don't expect anything magical to happen, although I would love it if it did. I think it just kind of symbolic and that's why I want to be here for this, entering this new age of thought, hopefully," said one tourist.

As a new age of thought allegedly dawns, Guatemala's indigenous Mayans protested against racism, discrimination and exclusion.

At the Temple of the Giant Jaguar in the ancient city of Tikal in Guatemala tourists and true believers took part in ancient rituals to mark the occasion.